ABSTRACT
Events are designed to have impacts and impacts are intrinsic to their nature. As events take place in the physical environment, whether that is a built or natural one, it is not surprising that they have impacts on that environment. Historically, the discussion of event impacts has tended to focus on cultural, social and economic outcomes and until recently the environmental impacts have been relatively neglected. However, changes in society are forcing a reappraisal of the impacts. Environmental degradation, climate change and resource shortages are threatening global lifestyles and that includes delivery of and participation in events. Resource constraints dictate that we reconsider the environmental inputs into the event industry. The relationship between events and the environment is two-way. The environment affects where and how events are delivered – the nature of the physical landscape will influence the siting and design of venues, the weather the timing and location of events and resource availability, the quality of
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The purpose of this book is to bring together in one volume discussion of all aspects of the relationship between events and the environment. Recent publications such as Sustainable Event Management and Event Management and Sustainability have looked at aspects of the relationship. As their titles indicate they have focused on sustainability issues. Their discussion of event impacts is limited, although much is implied in their approach to sustainable management techniques. Similarly, discussion of the environment as a resource is covered in part but not as a topic in its own right. This book attempts to be all-embracing, though not exhaustive, in its coverage of the interface between events and the environment and introduce topics that hitherto have appeared only in books on geography or environmental science. It tries to avoid excessive duplication with the volumes cited.
